Namwon is a small city in Jeollabukdo province, which has its nickname of "City of Love". No one denies this romantic nick name on Namwon in Korea.
Namwon is the hometown of the greatest love story, Choonhyangjeon. Choonhyangjeon is a love story in which a man and a woman have achieved and fruited their love through dedication and sacrifice over the fetters of the tradition of sex and social status in a very hierarchical society.
The reason this story is still loved is the heroine, Choonhyang. In a patriarchal society where women were even prohibited not only from expressing themselves in public but also from taking a look outside: they used to have a swing in order to see things over the fence, and having a swing is the manin motive that the two of them have met and fallen in love, she showed her great courage to remain steadfast in her faith on her love.
In a contemporary point of view, she can be the symbol or image of the woman who is required today. Her inner strength, bravery and passion over hard time can be an essential ingredient making peace in today's world. It is said what we need to make peace stopping wars and conflicts taking place around the world is the "Love of Mother" or feminity; unconditional dedication, patience and 'fidelity and constancy' on their faith. In fact, there have been a lot of female peace activists like Mother Theresa and Aung San Suu Kyi (a Nobel peace prize winner) who give a message for peace, heal people's heart in trouble and resolve conflicts.
Full of the pride and respect on the symbol of true love, Choonhyang, Namwon people seem to be warm hearted and generous to visitors, who will feel the healing inside them with the noble spirit of true love.
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